Judging by the response on the Twitters, a whole lot of people thought there was a bit of over-rewarding going on with these two last night. And we hope we don’t get in trouble for saying that the wedding stunt was bizarre and cheesy.

Sorry, I love a velvet suit as much as anyone, but the douche canoe hand gestures, the shoes without socks.. it all equals HELL NO for me.

PlethoraofBooks

Yes! I also want to smack him and say “you’re white, stop with the gang-esque signs!”

emoryivy

gang-esque does not equal non-white

PlethoraofBooks

I’m not saying it does – but regardless, I’m tired of the signs on the red carpet, even if it is the Grammys as a teacher.

titaness25

I’m pretty sure that them’s peace signs. But he is rocking a serious duckface, tis true.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

The peace sign is the other way around. The way he is doing it is usually shorthand for “up yours”.

bxbourgie

The funny part is that I don’t think he’s aware of that.

http://www.snoskred.org/ Snoskred

He’s from the UK, he is well aware. Google the V sign, there is an entire section on how this is an insult in the UK.

What is insulting is that he is giving it to people who have pretty much zero clue it is an insult and with that smug duck face going on.. Not so cool, dude.

gabbilevy

Nah, he’s from Seattle.

http://www.snoskred.org/ Snoskred

Wow, color me shocked, the one video clip I saw read UK to me, as does his entire.. being.

Bizarre. Ok, then I will forgive him this insult.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

And I will forgive you for inflicting him on my adopted homeland.

Vtg Fashion Library

Or “you’re just about four centimeters dilated.”

titaness25

OH. I call it the British middle finger. Which I learned when I accidentally flashed it at a professor, when the answer was 2. Awkward few minutes, that.

YoungSally

Vanilla Ice 2.0 — purely in appearance.

suzq

An entire generation that has no idea what to do with their hands….It’s sad, really.

Spreecord

And the duckface. Oh lord, the duckface.

lundibleu

Oh, I agree. I don’t like the look of either of them. And the shoes without socks – I just can’t. Massive hell no from me too.

http://www.merradywickes.wordpress.com/ MissWix

LOVE.

Sarah

I heart both their suits. I thought the wedding stunt was bizarre mostly because Madonna freaked me out hard.

leahpapa

Their whole performance was like a really affirming, loving but nonetheless incoherent fever dream, the climax of which was when Madonna showed up looking like Colonel Sanders moonlighting as a rodeo pimp.

Sarah

Boss Hogg!

leahpapa

You are a goddess.

Rhonda Shore

The wedding stunt was cheesy but the lyrics were something that needed to be said in front of a large audience. Macklemore’s heart is in the right place. And as far as Madonna goes, she was the first superstar to do an AIDS benefit in the 80s, so she belonged up there, period. She recently was on crutches, so that might explain the cane. But i thought it was more of a throwback to her pimp look from the “Music” album. And the boys in their suits are cute…love a large houndstooth check!!!

ConnieBV

Yeah, I thought it was sweet. The couples obviously wanted to do it, and what a memory to have. I wanted the fancy wedding, but how fun would this have been if you were a run off to Vegas/courthouse type?

Jennifer Peters-Ahnberg

I bow to you both.

DTLAFamilies

I didn’t watch it but now I wish I had.

leilah

Puritan or Quaker pimp …

Jessica Freeman

The more I hear about the performances, I was happy to have had other plans and missed the show in it’s entirety.

Sarah

I usually eschew awards shows for next-day internet fun, but I caught the last hour or so. You are right. The performances I saw were pretty lackluster.

zenobar

Scary Madonna Is Scary.

Sarah

Always.

littlemac8

Somebody help me here: did I see Queen get hit with the door when Madonna came out of stage? Col Sanders for the win!!!

cheesebomb

I didn’t catch the door, although I did see Ryan Lewis (I think?) sort of politely pull her slightly to the side when Madonna came out.

marlie

Sigh. I don’t even have the words to describe the train wreck that is Madonna. She and Cyndi Lauper are close in age, and CL didn’t look as try-hard as Madonna did. Sure, she’s (Cyndi) batshit crazy too, but at least she seems to own it.

Sarah

Madge is only 55. I work with several folks in that age range who are not as fit as she is, and I guarantee if you gussied them up, they would look perfectly lovely and would not have needed whatever the hell she has done to her face. My fiancé was straight up horrified, because he pretty much only remembers the Madonna of old, and hadn’t gotten a good look at her for years. Milaxx was right when she said “crypt keeper.”

CLoverleaf

I love the houndstooth. Macklemore…just no.

barbarienne

Not quite sure of the fit on either of these. I’m having a kinesthetic sympathy reaction of not being able to move. I really hate tight clothes.

Stylewise, though, these two are rocking. It’s amazing what the right shoes can do.

Whether the wedding stunt was cheezy, I don’t know. But that the weddings were performed by Queen Latifah is AWESOME.

Sarah

Agreed on Queen (who l looked incredible!) but I don’t think the suits are tight. Those are some slim little dudes, there.

barbarienne

I confess to almost always thinking contemporary men’s suits look too tight. The whole super-fitted, slim-leg thing just twings all my sensitivities. Oddly, I have less of that reaction when women are in super-tight things, because (a) often they have no sleeves, so no pulling at the shoulders, and (b) I know women’s tight clothes are full of spandex and are usually knit or otherwise woven to expand and move.

Sarah

I feel you. I prefer a looser cut for fellas, too.

formerlyAnon

Because you are the perspicacious goddess of correctness and wisdom. Totally not coincidentally because I agree.

formerlyAnon

YES.
It’s the easiest way to make a slim man look uncomfortable and an average man look chubby. Plus, I have a thing about loose, slide-ey fabrics being sexy, but that’s perhaps less generally applicable.

barbarienne

Loose, slide-ey fabrics that are so nice to touch, and which…

Oh! Look at that! It just fell right off! You can just leave that there, Mr. Jackman, don’t worry about it.

Mary wiped the floor with Madge vocally, as well as in the clothes and makeup departments.

RebeccaKW

Mary Lambert clearly shows that red carpet dress for the non-Hollywood sized ladies can be flattering and beautiful.

Dandesun

Macklemore is wearing more rings than Ringo Starr. What is going on in my world?!

M_E_S

Ryan Lewis’ suit is flawless. Macklemore…I could take it or leave it. Probably leave it.

another_laura

The wedding stunt WAS bizarre and cheesy, and Madonna sounded gawd-awful. Not that she ever sounded great, but MAN, that was bad.

Danielle

You know what any man that can wear a houndstooth suit gets a pass on anything “cheesy” for the rest of the night. Bless him.

CB

What exactly does Ryan Lewis do? And am I the only one who feels bad that he never gets to talk? BTW I think they look great and totally Grammys-appropriate.

leahpapa

He is indeed the Teller to Macklemore’s Penn, no?

xmixiex

The silent bob to macklemore’s jay

phantom ravioli

Ryan Lewis is the producer (in studio) and DJ (during performances). Macklemore is the MC. Thus, makes sense for Macklemore to be the primary mouthpiece of the operation.

MK03

Near as I can tell, his job is to stand next to Macklemore and look smug for no reason.

quiltrx

He is the Andrew Ridgely, the Curt Smith, the Chris Lowe, the Kix Brooks…

MartyBellerMask

Hey now. Surely he has more to do than Curt Smith. All he ever had to do was show up. I honestly don’t know why Roland kept him around…

bxbourgie

Squeeee! A discussion about my favorite band… I won’t bash Curt, but I am quite partial to Roland. The TFF albums after Curt left the band are two of my all time faves.

highfunctioninghedonist

He is the Teodora to his Nadia.

MK03

No. NO. These two scream “pretentious douchenozzle” no matter what they’re wearing. In fact, their suit choices only serve to ratchet up their douchiness.

Nikko Viquiera

I would disagree only because their music counters any douchiness around them.

demidaemon

I’m with Nikko. Both very smart, well-spoken, non-douchey guys.

Hazelnuts

Macklemore’s bronzer looks like Cheeto dust. I like the suits, though, especially for the event.

kimmeister

That is literally the best reference to Cheeto dust I have ever seen.

ms_bdc

Seriously. Suits are totally fun and grammy-appropriate but poor Macklemore needs to chill with the bronzer. He probably looks like a ghost under the flashbulbs without it, but there’s good bronzer application, and there’s (as you say) cheeto dust.

Kristin McNamara

He actually just got back from a beach vacation… that may very well be uneven tan/recovering burn.

Jessica Freeman

Really loving Macklemore’s velvet suit and the fact that he is definitely pulling it off.

lunchcoma

I would have preferred other artists win awards, and I squirmed a bit during the wedding stunt (especially during the Madonna bits, because she has kind of a mixed history with being sensitive to…well…anyone who’s not named Madonna), but I did enjoy these suits. Ryan Lewis’s was particularly charming.

marlie

I thought the mass wedding was just that – a stunt. Not that those couples GOT married, but that they got married at the Grammys during a Macklemore song.

formerlyAnon

It was a stunt, but it was a stunt that was broadcast into the living rooms of persons nationwide. I’m all for anything that helps redefine a new “nothing unusual to see here.” (I have very dear loved ones who live in their own conservative religious bubble, and the idea that gay & straight couples should marry on an even playing field needs badly to infiltrate their consciousness. I am happy for them to pray for the salvation of our (the liberal & misguided) souls, but I’d really LOVE it if they and their kids had their assumptions challenged more frequently.

marlie

That is a positive, I suppose. Aside from that, just the idea of getting married in a setting like that – just like the scores of people who get married in group ceremonies on Valentine’s Day – seems stunt-like to me. I personally don’t think that anyone’s wedding should be a public spectacle.

In that vein, wasn’t there a Bachelor wedding on TV last night, too?

formerlyAnon

Just when I think I’m devoting inexcusable amounts of brain space to pop culture, something reminds me that I could be worse. (Drunks love a worse drunk!) Casting no aspersions on you for bringing it up, I didn’t realize there was a Bachelor wedding on TV last night. Shoulda known since I’ve been seeing photos of some of the Bachelor cast in the supermarket checkout rack recently.

marlie

Oh, I didn’t watch it… I just knew from comments from people on Twitter that it was about to/taking place.

RebeccaKW

I’m not 100% on the details, as I don’t watch Bachelor, but I’ve heard on the radio, etc. that because the couple was celibate, they were making a big deal about the wedding night through the show. With some sort of bedcam (what?) and the man buying sexy lingerie.

marlie

Ew, ew, ew. That’s even worse.

demidaemon

The Bachelor is just gross, and, from what I’ve heard, the current season is even grosser. YUCK.

ana170

I initially read that as WTF. I like the suits although the smaller guy looks as if his hips are wider than mine. And I’m wondering why they’re both tilting their heads back and smirking like that.

quiltrx

They’re trying to teach Paula how to hold her head on the RC when you think you’re perfect.

xmixiex

A. Dor. Able.

PeaceBang

All the way fabulous. I mean: HOUNDSTOOTH. And the shoes are throw-it-down awesome. I don’t know their music but they got out loud WOOTS from me.

zenobar

Yep. Also I’m getting a Level 42 vibe from that suit, which brings me nothing but joy.

Jacqueline Wessel

They look cute and it’s nice to see suits that are not so business-like, but the scale on that houndstooth seems a little too big to me.

frannyprof

NO POSING ON THE RC. Stop. it.

stubbornthoughts

They look like themselves at a big event, so I think they look great! The massive wedding thing was quite gimmicky, especially when they felt like including Madonna as a…gimpy cowgirl? Started as a great, emotional performance, then it kinda veered off a bit. Love the message though!

LOVED the Imagine Dragons + Lamar collaboration. Highlight performance of the night for my partner and I!
The cutesy twinkly-booted cowgirl that immediately followed … Low point of the night.

marlie

My two favorites, too. Two of the few where the standard Grammy mash-ups actually worked. I also liked Sara Barailles and Carol King.

stubbornthoughts

Oh yes! They were great, as well. “Brave” and “Beautiful” made a lovely mash up.

Personally, I just don’t quite understand all the Beyonce/Jay-Z hoopla. I really like them both (and I have for a long time, since they’re no spring chickens in this biz), they’re great models of entertainment, music, and marketing, but why can’t the internet admit that this performance wasn’t groundbreaking? That Bey probably didn’t have to wear an oversized thong on the Grammy stage? Could you imagine if this was a Kardashian, the heat one would take? That being said, I love that they sincerely seem in love with each other. I have no idea what a conversation would sound like with them, but you can’t knock love!

marlie

Is it the first time they’ve performed together at something like the Grammys? I think that might be why there’s so much hype. I didn’t have a problem with her costume (she and a dozen other ladystars have done the same thing already), but I just didn’t especially LIKE the song they performed, and it sort of dragged as an opening number.

stubbornthoughts

That might be it, the fact that they performed together. But what on earth does she mean by “Surfboard”? What is the significance, besides her possible love for waves? Neither song impressed me much. Is this why she didn’t release any singles and opted for an all-at-once album?

On the other hand, I love the bob on her. And she should also always wear that lip color, all the time. Everywhere.

Sobaika

One rides a surfboard, one rides a male member. It’s also a reference to a sex position. SURFBORT. GRAININ ON THAT WOOOD, GRAININ ON THAT WOOD.

I really like her latest album and their performance was fun and sexy. Groundbreaking? No way. But in a night of lackluster and flat-out random, it was in my Top 3.

Bexxx

HAHAHA. You beat me to it. Basically the same comment. Awesome.

stubbornthoughts

Well, there you have it. Thanks for clarifying, Sobaika!

demidaemon

Thanks for adding unnecessary knowledge into my brain.

Bexxx

SURFBOARDT. SURFBORT. GRAININ ON THAT WOOD. GRAININ GRAININ ON THAT WOOD. Sorry I just. Love that song.

Psst- it’s referring to a sex position.

Jacob Bowen

Not a huge Kendrick Lamar fan, I do like Imagine Dragons though, so the performance was fine, but Sara and Carole was a DREAM. Sara Bareilles is SO much better than “Brave” which is still a great song, but her concert was one of the most beautiful nights of music!

demidaemon

Oh, I agree, But she always throws out one “traditionally” pop song on her albums, which is downright catchy and fun, and then gives you a whole bunch of cool and interesting pop-influenced but different music on the rest on the album.

I admit, I have been listening to The Blessed Unrest like crazy lately and am an unabashed Sara B. fan. Love “Hercules,” “Cassiopeia,” “Little Black Dress,” and “Eden.”

Jacob Bowen

You just named 3 of my top 4…I add “Manhattan” instead of “Cassiopeia”, which would be next. Brave is still a GREAT song, just not on my top 6. But there’s really nothing bad about any of it. Her concert was a dream…well, more like a sobbing mess of a dream.

demidaemon

I loved “Manhattan” as well. I think “Brave” for me would just barely hit my top six, as I have a personal connection to it. I also really love “Satellite Calls,” for best use of autotune in a long time.

Jacob Bowen

“Satellite Call” is one of those songs where you can, listen on repeat and say nothing for hours. I sat on a cliff by the ocean in Central California while listening, and it was literally the most serene I had felt in a long time.

sugarkane105

I agree with your list, and would nominate Pink as a third great performance.

stubbornthoughts

I was having real panic attacks for her. RESPECT. She’s so badass.

Sobaika

I love Pink, but the .fun guy singing with her has terrible live vocals (especially since Pink always brings it) and her Cirque du Soleil act was much more impressive the first time she did it last year or two years ago.

sugarkane105

Ugh, I felt the same about his voice. He took the overall performance down a notch for sure. And that ‘stache has gotta go dude.

demidaemon

Also, he’s dating Lena Dunham. Makes him a bit suspect, no?

Sobaika

YES and also it makes all sorts of sense (in the worst way).

demidaemon

HIPSTER LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEE! *vomits*

Though I do in general enjoy .fun’s music.

sugarkane105

Haha I do believe Lena Dunham is dating a different member of fun., not the lead singer.

BrianaJC

LOVE all of it. that teal looks spectacular on him and the pant length is on point.

gabbilevy

As obviously of a publicity stunt as the wedding was, I cant hate too hard. I lump straight allies (and yes, I consider myself to be one), in the same boat as male feminists and white people who campaign for minority rights all in the same boat: welcome.

Plus, I love both of these suits, hard.

formerlyAnon

Word. When we, the privileged, weigh in on the side of the disenfranchised(?), we don’t always really “get it,” no matter how we try. But baby, we still vote and can determine the standards for civil discourse in our immediate vicinity. (And “That’ll do, pig.”)

Madam Von Sassypants

You phrased my thoughts perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOctocornNetwork International Model

Even the shoes are beautiful! When designing clothes as a little girl, I was always at a loss for what to do for men’s shoes so this is particularly important to me.

Lilithcat

Socks, suits that fit, suits that don’t make my eyes hurt — all would be an improvement.

Lori

Macklemore needs to tone down the tanner or foundation or whatever he’s got going on there. His face looks so wrong it’s distracting from the suit. Considering the suit, that’s really saying something.

gksp

Fabulous. That is all.

@Biting Panda

Fabulous!!

marlie

They’re on my Irrational Hate List, but there’s no denying that they both looked really good on the red carpet.

Bexxx

It’s rational.

http://www.snoskred.org/ Snoskred

I know nothing about them and they are still on my irrational hate list.

Only ever heard the one song and saw the one video clip, that was enough for me.

But the same goes for most music these days, not a fan of any of it. You kids get off my lawn now!

demidaemon

Why? On the hate part, that is.

Kristin McNamara

I agree. Could I ask what is the hate based on? I’ll be the first to admit… when Thrift Shop first came out, I was like, “oh great. a new gimmicky, annoying rapper takes the world by storm.” Couldn’t stand that song. But then I heard Can’t Hold Us on a commercial, liked it, and googled him. This led me to find his performance of Same Love on Ellen (which is also when I FOUND OUT HE WAS WHITE–I know, right? honestly I’d had no idea) which made me cry, as I truly couldn’t believe a rapper was saying those words. So I looked into Thrift Shop again, realized the lyrics were HILARIOUS and send an awesomely fuckyou message to his contemporaries (though I still don’t love the sound of the song), looked into the rest of his album, and have been hooked ever since.

Thesis: I judged that book by its cover (well, by the first soundbite I heard) and very happily turned my opinion around after opening said book.

PS- I also think it’s pretty badass that he supports his fellow Seattle-ian Logan Neitzel on every red carpet he attends.

http://www.snoskred.org/ Snoskred

I don’t like the part of the film clip where they make a larger girl lip synch male sounding lyrics.

I know it is supposed to be funny and probably ironic or whatever, but I did not find it so.

There is probably a lot of good to find, but after that I did not care to look. My loss, probably.

Kristin McNamara

Oh damn. What song is that video for? Full disclosure: as much as I’m hooked on his music, I’ve never seen a one of his single music videos. I tend not to for any artist. I’m more about “do I like the music?” and could care less about the videos…

http://www.snoskred.org/ Snoskred

That is for the thrift shop one. :/ I don’t really listen to any new music but when I go to the gym I have the video clips on the tv, I thought it was awesome to finally see someone not stick thin in one of these videos.. it wasn’t until I accidentally forgot my iPhone one day and had to listen to the music video music that I realised what was really going on.

Sam Smith

I’m not a huge fangirl for these guys, but they look great!

quiltrx

These boys are very nearly immaculate! Terrific suits, beautifully fitted. Macklemore needs to lay off the bronzer, it looks silly, especially at his hairline. But that is my ONLY quibble.
Ryan’s shoes need to come live with me! And that suit…love it.
And can we get some applause for perfect hems, shaved necks, and only one brief hand-in-the-pocket?

boweryboy

I agree with you guys about the wedding stunt. A friend texted me saying he was in tears. I thought it was weird and most definitely cheesy, and I can’t even with Madonna anymore. I used to love her but now she’s rapidly morphing into Baby Jane. Write that letter to Daddy, gurl.

I love Ryan Lewis’ houndstooth suit, but the fit is weird around the hips. Macklemore is a big of course. And I have one thing to say about the loafers without socks: gross.

MilaXX

Madonna is currently on my hate list for using the N word on IG them trotting out her African kid as some sort of mea culpea after telling people who called her on it to “suck her dick”. She can take her fake accent, that grill she is too damned old to be wearing and all her other pretensions and sit her crypt keeper looking self in a corner somewhere.

marlie

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

formerlyAnon

Heh. Ms. Ciccone broke my once girlish heart several years ago. Or would have, were I that much of a fan. Tarnished my hopeful image of her is closer. At this point she’s in the legions who’ve drifted so far into their wealthy, celebrity life surrounded by people who won’t say “you’re acting crazy” that they no longer make sense outside their little world.

boweryboy

Wow. I heard nothing about that. Where did you read that? My opinion of her has dropped even lower now.

Sarah

I saw something about it on MSN.

demidaemon

I’ll always like her music, but she is definitely a far cry from what she used to be. It makes me more sad than hateful.

KayeBlue

For reasons even I don’t understand, I find Macklemore so, so attractive. I assume it’s my thing for redheads. But why is his face orange?

Yes, that wedding stunt was stupid. Reducing gay peoples’ struggle for equality and recognition down to an amorphous mass wedding is just wiping away all the people who worked for years to obtain the benefits of legally recognized partnership for same-sex couples. Tacky.

AnotherJulie

Love the houndstooth suit which fits perfectly and ditto the shoes.
Also, loved the idea of the weddings but the entrance of Madonna (who btw sounded terrible) made it more kitschy and detracted a tad for me.

MartyBellerMask

The SHOES. I DIE. Love these guys!
The wedding thing was a wee bit over the top (honestly, I think it was Madonna that pushed it over the edge) but Queen Latifah you guys!!!!!!

Bexxx

I don’t give a shit what these two are wearing and won’t until they stop exploiting and gaining massive success from gay rights (all while repeating over and over and over we’re straight! we’re straight!) and black culture (while rappers with better lyrics gain no recognition for their work). SORRY BOUT IT. And it’s too bad because I love houndstooth.

Sarah

Doesn’t seem fair that supporting gay rights is “exploiting” and rapping is only for black people. It’s the 21st century, y’know?

Bexxx

I don’t really think that it’s that simple. There are talented, outspoken QPOC rappers that gain absolutely no recognition for their work (Le1f, Angel Haze, Mykki Blanco, just to name a few) while we are spoon-fed this more palatable white, straight, male version of ~equality~. His activism always seems more masturbatory than productive to me- do his proceeds go to any causes that work to better the lives of people in the LGBTQ community? I understand that “spreading awareness” has its own merits, but in this case, some white dude is making a ton of money with lyrics that basically translate to, “look how tolerant I am! but don’t forget I’m not one of the gays! but I support them! give me a cookie!”

Sarah

I agree with the idea that perhaps their song is not the most musically talented offering of the sentiment, but I don’t know why it has to be interpreted as a self-serving exercise. As far as spoon-feeding, I’m not sure it is Macklemore’s fault if his album sold well and people felt inspired by any messages he put forth. I feel strongly that color should not be an issue, either with the right to perform hip-hop or the right to speak up for gay rights, any more than being straight should be.

Jaeda Laurez

The right to perform hip hop is not the racial issue, race is definitely related to who is recognized and financially rewarded for it, however.

Sarah

Point taken, but the more pertinent aspect of the conversation had to do with whether the song in question was a self-serving grasp for positive attention piggybacking on gay rights while still asserting heterosexuality, and I just think that’s a little harsh. I completely agree that they were overawarded, but the Grammys are not known for being magnanimous.

JauntyJohn

I don’t hear them identifying themselves as straight as a sort of panicked distancing from the inference that supporting gay rights means they’re gay (as I have in many a straight actor’s press junket — though to be fair, there’s less of that every day, and many a young straight male star is remarkably calm and eloquent on the topic, i.e. DGL or Josh Hutcherson). Quite honestly I see it more as a “lead by example” thing.

Loramir

I’m not a massive fan and didn’t watch the Grammys, but considering how much rap (and other pop music) is homophobic and misogynistic and violent–and extremely popular–how is a hit song celebrating acceptance a bad thing?

These guys got their big break with Thrift Shop and instead of using their fame to release a song about girls in the club with big butts or their cars and mansions and bling or whatever, they chose to use it to promote equal rights. According to Wikipedia, “Same Love became the first Top 40 song in the U.S. to promote and celebrate same-sex marriage.” That could never have happend just a few years ago.

Yeah, they got awards and recognition and money from it, but I’d far rather see these guys get it for supporting equal rights than Robin Thicke get it for glorifying rape, Eminem claiming he “has no issues with gay, straight, transgender, at all” but casually throwing around homophobic slurs in his songs, or any of the other singers/rappers who celebrate rape, drugs, violence, homophobia, misogyny, etc.

SassieCassy

reread what you wrote and think about how condescending dismissive and stereotypical your summation of hip hop sounds

Loramir

I admit I used some generalizations, but I certainly didn’t mean to imply that all hip hop has negative messages. I didn’t say there was anything WRONG with songs about girls in the club with big butts or cars and mansions and bling. Some of them are catchy and fun and that’s fine. Obviously not every song needs to have a social message. But there ARE popular, chart-topping songs in both rap/hip hop AND other genres that objectify women or use homosexual or racial slurs, etc, even if they’re not the majority.

I would just rather see these guys have success from a song with a positive message, even if it is just a gimmick, than Robin ‘I know you want it’ Thicke or whatever.

somebody blonde

How is it their fault that rappers with better lyrics gain no recognition for their work? Yeah, the Grammy’s might represent our wider culture’s problems with race, but that is not Macklemore’s fault. He and Ryan Lewis made good songs that people like to listen to, and now they’re successful because of it.

TRSTL

But they are straight and make no apologies for it. And they shouldn’t have to, their unmitigated support for the people they love started long ago, when he was making music in the basement and playing small venues for nothing. As for the lyrics, when I read the lyrics printed out for a lot of the songs, it is clear they are thinkers and not just writing songs about living it up in the club, getting bitches and hos, and making piles of money. BUT…. this is a fashion blog so I will just say, awesome suits guys!!

Sobaika

P R E A C H

I couldn’t agree with you more, and am sort of shocked at some of the responses you’re receiving.

Thing is, I kind of like this Toby Flenderson-looking little goober (and I really appreciated some of his statements regarding Trayvon Martin) but there is no denying he is a) mediocre b) celebrated due in large part due to his whiteness c) celebrated in large part due to his cutesy social commentary.

AKA THE KATY PERRY OF RAP MUSIC.

formerlyAnon

If being dubbed “the Katy Perry of Rap Music” isn’t a Badge of Shame, I don’t know what is!

Bexxx

That is the best and most accurate analogy I have ever read.

indigospade

I’m glad someone said it. I’m sorry, but as nice as the message seems, the whole wedding thing just seemed to be way to exploitative for my tastes. Like Lady Gaga, Madonna, and many other celebrities, they try hard to “help the disenfranchised” while using their shock value to gain attention.

I feel like the event was more for Macklemore to gain some cookies from the community. “Look how progressive and nice I am! ME! A straight white guy! Helping the gays and giving rap a Good name!”

Macklemore’s stunts are nothing new. And his music, lyrics, and message are nothing new either (the grammy viewing audience might be surprised just how progressive, intellectual, and deep rap and hip hop can really be when you look outside of “thug stereotype” so many people seem to think is the norm.)

He’s right up there with Dan Savage on my list of “please stop trying to help, it’s not working” celebrities.

Nan

I think they’re adorable in a cute overly-earnest puppy way. But the way he’s holding his chin up in every pic makes me wonder if Mack’s collar is a smidge too tight?

Glam Dixie

The houndstooth suit gives him the appearance of a very womanly waist, hips, thighs, hourglass that I’m sure he did not want and I’m just gonna say it, I hate that damn song. The message is lovely, but the song is so bad. There are much better songs about gay love done by actual gay artists out there that deserve the recognition that this song got.

MilaXX

I kinda wondered if Queen LaTifah was gonna come out when I heard she was officiating.

Glam Dixie

That never crossed my mind, that would have been crazy awesome tho.

marlie

She’ll never come out publicly (i.e., make an “announcement”).

Glam Dixie

I agree, but then, I thought the same thing about Jodie Foster, but never on an award show stage for sure.

marlie

Never say never, I guess, but from what I’ve read about how closed-lipped she is about her love life, it seems unlikely at this point.

Glam Dixie

And just think how such an announcement would have taken away from the ceremony. You know how they really put the focus on the couples and their love for each other? * end snark *

Sarah

I watched some of the E Afterparty coverage, and they straight up asked her in the press room if there was any meaning behind her doing it. She just said it meant a lot to her to be a part of it because some friends of hers were one of the couples. Sidestep!

demidaemon

That is what as known in the biz as “excellent PR.”

formerlyAnon

I think it’s pretty clear that “making an announcement” is outside what she feels she owes the world.

And I don’t know a thing about her sexuality, but I do have friends that say she’s “discreet like Brian Boitano.”

MilaXX

To be clear I don’t think anyone has to make an announcement. I just speculated due to the lyrics and the buzz around the lyrics of this song.

formerlyAnon

Oh, I didn’t think you were being prescriptive. Sorry if i “sounded” critical, that wasn’t the intent.

demidaemon

Brian Boitano’s discreet?!

formerlyAnon

Ha! Ya know, I’ve never questioned the statement, I’ve always taken it half as a joke and half to say she doesn’t make a public statement about her sexuality, as Boitano didn’t for years, but she isn’t hiding anything from those she’s close to. Of course, I *don’t* know anything about her life, so I dunno!

demidaemon

I don’t think the song is that terrible. I’ve certainly heard much worse, especially in regards to hip-hop.

MilaXX

They look good, but these folks sweep the rap AND hip hop awards? Naw!! That’s some Milli Vanilli levels of fakery. Then the “apology” that Macklemore texted Kendrick Lamar (who shut it down along w/ Imagine Dragons btw) and then instagramed? Chile go sit in a corner with your pretty suits.

TRSTL

Absolutely must disagree! The Heist is full on Hip hop/rap, if you haven’t listened to the album (unedited for airplay) you would see it is. And to compare them to Milli Vanilli is offensive to them. They write and produce AND SING all their own music. No lipsynching to other vocal tracks for these guys. The genuine article…….

MilaXX

I’m not saying they aren’t hip hop so perhaps the Milli Vanilli comparison was harsh. I do not however, think they had the best cd out there. I find them over rated.

demidaemon

Yes, well, the Grammy’s (like the Oscars, etc, etc) don’t always reward the most deserving, but who they think made the biggest splash.

MilaXX

^This^ is truth, but it does not make it any less annoying. Much like the Sexiest Man Alive covers, it’s about what makes good PR.

JauntyJohn

Okay, firstly, Hooray for Style! Dear God we have tailoring! Grooming! Bold choices and interesting colors! All this AND no neck beard? Pinch me, I must be dreaming!
Secondly, for music awards shows, a little posing, a little vamping, a couple of signs-that-I-never-know-what-they-mean-but-seem-part-of-your-brand/genre… all okay to me on a music show RC. Other RC’s? Do not want. Here? Yeah, sure. It’s not MTV but it’s not far from it.
Good artists making good art from their good hearts. Rap without misogyny or homophobia. Really, what’s not to love?

DTLAFamilies

Question: why is it popular to hate Macklemore? I find him inoffensive but maybe I’m missing something.

formerlyAnon

I assume mostly because he became such a MASSIVE success and his biggest hit has been so overplayed. Probably doesn’t hurt that he’s young-ish and often acts/sounds silly and works in a genre that some believe he’s first culturally appropriated and then pop-ified.

I’m good with him, as I say elsewhere, because he seems to be grateful for his success and having a good time with it. And I don’t know anything really negative about him.

RectPropagation

Some of this is his fault and a lot of this is society’s fault.

Things that are his fault: People have a problem with the fact that his song “Same Love” criticizes hip-hop specifically for being homophobic as opposed to the music industry in general. It’s one more entry for the “black people are homophobic” meme. It’s particularly infuriating for a white guy to use black music to criticize black people. He’s also just not that good of a rapper. He’s an OK rapper working with really good beats and good singers for the chorus. He has a lot of racist fans who get very nasty if you criticize him.

Things that are society’s fault: People have a problem with the music industry ignoring queer rappers and crediting him with the ‘first’ gay rap anthem. He is way over-hyped & praised for his actual talent level. People have a problem with the fact that part of the reason he’s so hyped is that he gets credited with being the first/only rapper to touch on certain subjects when he isn’t. People have a problem with him then being used to criticize rap, i.e. “Why don’t any other rappers ever talk about X?” / “These rappers do” / “I’ve never heard of them/those songs!”.

Other people have said this way better than I just did but that’s the gist of it.

demidaemon

To be fair, hip hop has a greater tendency to throw out more explicitly homophobic lyrics and examples than the heterosexism present

in the music industry (and to be fair, much of celebrity culture and the media). Also, I want to note that the person getting the most backlash for homophobia lately is a white rapper–Eminem.

MartyBellerMask

I don’t know most “Grammy” music, so I can happily distance myself from this conversation. But the rare occasion when I venture over to commercial radio station I hear this song. I like it but then I don’t hear it 12 times a day.
I just scrolled through the nominee list and there is not a single category where I knew all the nominees (some I know of but haven’t heard). Last year there was one category that I knew. LOL so I really don’t have any stake in this. I watch the Grammys for the interesting performances.
I can see why people who care would get upset. I guess. Not really. I love movies but I know the Oscars are pointless and political. I watch with a grain of salt.

Marie Arsenault

Ryan Lewis is a genius. He produces all the songs/CDs and the videos. Listen to macklemore before he hooked up with Ryan. You’ll hear the difference. I find these guys so inspiring. They self-released their own music. DIYed it all the way. They look fabulous. Love them.

Hayley

Suits are fab, but they look spectacularly uncomfortable.

formerlyAnon

I kind of like him (Macklemore). He has always had the grace to at least act like he’s enjoying being massively successful, and grateful for the success, and if there’s been any major assholery, I haven’t heard about it. (Not that I necessarily would.)

I like velvet, so of course I think he’s looking good. The houndstooth is not, perhaps, cut in the most flattering manner possible, but still, it’s fun and interesting and looks o.k. THE SHOES are what sells me, for both of ‘em. What’s the point in being young, successful and by my standards, rich, if you never wear anything that looks like fun?

Danielle West

AGREED! Was hoping y’all would be commenting on their outfits.

Carla_Charlton

But why did they wear their house slippers?

Janet B

Love the clothes, shoes and grooming!!!!

Socks would have been nice, but the rest is so much better than average I don’t mind (much).

Kelly

Both suits look too tight/small to me, but I realize that I am out of step with current fashions in man-suit tailoring. And Macklemore is totally orange.

bxbourgie

I hate the peace sign in photos. I need every male celebrity to stop doing it. You think you look cool, but you look like a douche. That is all.

sagecreek

I clicked on this only to get what WITFU meant

conniemd

I see no one answered your question. I still don’t know what it means.

http://www.snoskred.org/ Snoskred

Way to Willis It The Fuck UP, boys.

Jacob Bowen

Willis it the Fuck Up

Jaeda Laurez

I hate Macklemore’s hair with the fire of a thousand suns. Ryan’s suit kind of gives him girl hips, but I like both fabrics/patterns. They looked like grownups, so good on them. And yes, they were completely over rewarded, but it’s the Grammys, so…

formerlyAnon

Yeah. My feeling is that the industry waaaaay over-rewards white/mixed-but-light artists – but it’s unreasonable to blame said artists for taking the success and looking happy about it.

snarkykitten

haha nevermind got him confused with rob thicke for some reason

Bill Craven

Look, their biggest hit was friggin’ Thrift Shop. I’m seriously hoping that’s where that velvet suit started, and the questionable taste in shoes.

As for the wedding, consider where we were 30 years ago when Madge was the first woman to be a hit / featured on MTV, and the hopes of all us gay boys dancing to her and to have it come down to a wedding at the Grammys for an artist who’s self-produced. After winning best new artist (sorry, Lorde; bad timing).

A nice couple of boys from Seattle wrote a nice song about overcoming prejudice and now that the sentiment is mainstreamed, they get their moment in the sun. Along with 30 incredulous couples. This whole thing has been so bizarre and so wonderful. I just hope he can stay off drugs long enough to really enjoy it.

Kristin McNamara

Macklemore has spoken very openly about his past drug problems and alcohol problems, since his teenage years. He’s now clean and has been very open about that part of his life as well. Fell off the wagon once a few years back (see his song: Starting Over) but has been drug-free and alcohol-free (allegedly) since the night he talks about in that song. I hope he “stays off drugs” forever! And I hope he enjoys the hell out of it!

Saturnine

I like the suits, but as my mum would say “stop making faces for the camera!”

Imasewsure

Glad our Dear Uncles liked this too. I thought it was adorable and showed some effort which is always much appreciated.

rebeemoon

Did no one dare advise Macklemore on the over-bronzing? Worst case of it I’ve EVER seen.

Whitney Barkley

As someone who works in the reddest of red states as a civil rights attorney, I cried during the wedding. Cheesy? Yes. But I couldn’t help but think about the closeted gay kids in my state who were sitting with friends and relatives watching real people, like them, getting married. Obviously, the Macklemore song is huge, but it hasn’t gotten much mainstream radio play here. I think spreading that message – however flawed the messenger and the venue – that all love is the #samelove is a beautiful thing.

formerlyAnon

I felt like cheesy as it was, it was the same cheesy for the gay & straight couples on stage. And god knows that’s still way beyond the comfort zone of some of the people watching the Grammys.

Whitney Barkley

Exactly! Perfectly said.

http://www.snoskred.org/ Snoskred

I don’t know how far out of their comfort zone some people will ever be able to get. I just look back and remember all the kerfuffle with Janet Jackson showing a nipple at the Super Bowl and I still do not think much progress has been made – I saw people today all upset about Beyonce’s g-string. Will nobody think of the children, is their cry. Something like that anyway.. If they don’t like it, they can turn off the teevee, but they never seem to care for that answer.

I think the rest of us have to just keep going about our lives without reference to the comfort zones of the narrow minded. No amount of weddings – straight, gay, or otherwise, on teevee is going to widen their minds or horizons, sorry to say.

formerlyAnon

You’re not entirely wrong. Lots of people won’t change, and nobody is going to change solely or even mostly from a cheesy stunt on t.v. But I think a lot of smaller changes in environment do have a cumulative impact. Maybe not on 50 year olds. More so, maybe, on 7 year olds.

(I don’t know how old you are) I’m only 50-ish and what it is acceptable to do and say in public to/about women, people of color, the non-heterosexual has changed ENORMOUSLY in my lifetime. It took brave individuals asserting their claims, progressive legislation, and representation of a different norm in popular culture to achieve that. I know people personally whose idea of what is “right” in those areas has actually changed during their adult lives.

Yes, I think there are people who hold the same opinions that were considered the [white, male, hetero -privileged] norm in the ’50s – and the fact that some of them no longer feel comfortable being open about those opinions fuels part of the conservative feeling/backlash on those issues that is very real. But to my eyes it is really, really REALLY different today, what is considered “normal’ or even up for debate. When I was a child, every gay person I met was closeted, at least to children, until I was well into my teens. (And if I hadn’t done community theater as a teen, that would have been “until I was nearly 20.”) I don’t remember anyone being more honest about a public figure being gay than using the terms “a confirmed bachelor” or “in a Boston marriage.” I lived in a place with a 35-40% African American population – an educated one – and never *saw* a Black “authority figure” until I was in the 7th grade, except, rarely, on t.v. The sexism & homophobia & default culture of racism shown in the Mad Men workplace was real, and almost completely unquestioned.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

Very well said.

demidaemon

I totally agree with everything you’ve said here!

demidaemon

I know. I just read an article with basically the same cry about a lesbian couple with a kid coming over for a play date on a Disney channel sitcom. But, the only way it is going to change is to keep doing these sorts of things. It may be a stunt, but how else will the message get across otherwise?

formerlyAnon

Things don’t come to seem “normal” and no big deal if you’ve never seen or heard of them, or worse, only heard of them presented in a negative light.

Kristin McNamara

I agree with what others said in response to this comment. But I also think that, as the future of the country, the kids the OP was referring to are the more important viewers of this “stunt”. No, we may not ever change the minds of the people whose minds we think need to be changed. But we may just be able to reach LGBTQ kids in a public way and show them they’re not alone.

formerlyAnon

Also: Thanks for doing what you do. Being a civil rights lawyer in a conservative state can be like walking around with a sign on your back that says “Revile Me.” The irony being that the more successful your work is, the more likely some of your professional colleagues and neighbors will freeze you out.

Whitney Barkley

Thank you! Though I have to say, I love it. Its a pleasure to come to work every day. I generally don’t mind making a few people angry for a good cause though!

bitchybitchybitchy

Having had the joy of seeing our niece marry her partner last year (in the old family church, no less), I just wish that everyone could have that experience-yes, all love is the samelove.

LeelaST

Big Fashion Snaps from me! They looked groomed & put together.

River

Kudos to these two cuties for breaking out some fly suits. They’ve got the chutzpah to pull it off and they look great. I find it disheartening how much hate has been directed at them for a solidly good album that includes a positive anthem…how rewards shows or anyone else reacts to what they’ve made is pretty much entirely out of their control. Can we just chill with the “hate ‘em because people love ‘em” BS?

MzzPants

Perfect. Fit.

fananafanafophalec

Macklemore should fire whoever picked that fucking primer tho

Kimberly Page

I know they’re a “duo” but are they also a “couple”?

Please advise.

TRSTL

No, they are both heterosexual and involved with women they love. They are role models for many who ae comfortable with being balls to the wall supportive of equal rights for EVERYONE. I LOVE them!!

Kimberly Page

cool. thanks!

Jean Beaton Leavitt

They remind me a little bit of a couple of awesome fashion bloggers.

Kent Roby

LOVE both suits, yay!

JP

Sadly, I have no idea who these two are, but they are serving up Grammy-perfect looks.

oohsparkley!

I wish there was an easy way to just up-vote the Tlo comments. This is my up-vote.

CatherineRhodes

WITFU. Brilliant.

DesertDweller79

I like it! Looks appropriate for the Grammys. Wish more of the men had fun like this for the Grammys.

Diego!

Love both suits, but I prefer the blue/green one. It’s simply amazing!

fursa_saida

I think the black shirt with the houndstooth suit is a mistake. The black lapels blur into it and it’s all somehow conspiring to make him look pear-shaped. A white shirt would have done a lot more to put the focus on his shoulders, I think.

On the other hand, I really enjoy that he’s just standing there looking at the cameras like a reasonable person while Macklemore essentially jumps up and down and pulls faces next to him. Hilarious. (Macklemore…whatever, this is how he dresses. But the mugging and the BRONZER are just too much. I can’t.)

unbornfawn

We can quibble if we like the suits or not, but you have to admit these boys are stylish and well turned out. Clean, shaved, combed, fitted. Pants are even hemmed. The no socks thing… oh well, its the Grammys.

Fred Vaughn

Boy, that’s not your bronzer! Otherwise, it all made me look.

Carly Clement

Best Tuxes on the red carpet! So sharp and fun! And I love the shoes!

http://phantomminuet.blogspot.com/ MinAgain

Macklemore must have only had $20 in his pocket, because those shoes are thrift shop awful.

par3182

I don’t know who anyone is in popular music anymore. Are these two a couple?

Andy

FUCKING NAILED IT. And the shoes? I die.

Almut Weidenprinzessin

I’m just a pokemon, but why is this guy orange?

Jeff Warhurst

The houndstooth tux is fugly, but the teal velvet is sexy as fuck. I think the pants on the houndstooth make him look pear shaped, which he definitely is not.

http://kingderella.tumblr.com/ kingderella

The shy one is adorable. The douchy one is douchy.

jay

I know I’m biased because I JUST FREAKING LOVE HIM (he is just so charming and looks EXACTLY like an old boyfriend of whom I am particularly fond), but I really enjoy his terrible non-posing. He does the exact same face (head tilted back, mouth squished to hide the maniacal grin) that I do when I’m super ridiculously excited but can’t actually run around shrieking.

What a goof. And I would cut someone for that houndstooth suit.

Also I appreciate that he seemingly can’t resist the “LOOK AT MY SWEET TURQUOISE JEWELRY” hand-thing. (what some other folks here are calling, sigh, gang signs. And yes it’s sometimes culturally offensive but so far I haven’t seen a better way for dudes to show off their rocks.)

I think they look fantastic. And even if the wedding stunt was cheesy, I’m OK with it because I like things like that. The Notebook was one of my favorite movies when it came out. This event was on network television for all to see, and it’s easy for many of us who live in large cosmopolitan cities to forget that there are still places in this country where gay marriage rocks the boat. It’s good, in my opinion, to do things that demonstrate that guys are marrying guys every day in our great country and, in fact, in many countries around the world. The more it’s shown, the more it becomes a non issue.

save_the_hobbit

I thought they deserved MORE awards. And the entire “Same Love” performance made me bawl, cheesy or not. Could’ve done without Madonna, though.

myristica_fragrans

i can’t believe they won over kendrick lamar!

imperfectlaura

Just thought I’d put it out there that Macklemore is wearing Logan Neitzel a PR season 6 contestant. Pretty cool!